Monitor Photo/Pearl CantrellCedar Creek Model A Club member Walter Hellebrand lets Mabank
High School ninth-grade automotive student Brady Semmen take a turn
behind the wheel of his blue 1930 Ford Model A sedan Wednesday, while
his classmates watch.

Model A club member Ola Powell (in cap) shows fellow
member Dr. Roberto Loar (left) and MHS automotive students how the
distributor works to put fire to the plugs.

Cedar Creek Model A Club members Joe Creecy (left) Ola Powell and
Bill Wittner (right) compare the size of an original spark plug to the
replacement plug available for these cars now.

David “Shorty” Johnson, 86, points out the route his 1925 Model T
traveled in 2001 from Gun Barrel City to Alaska, a trip of 12,000 miles.
"We had trouble all the way," he jokingly recounted. Shorty is also
referred to as the car doctor for these older models.

Cornbread Festival set for
April 25Monitor Staff Reports
MALAKOFF–Pull out those cornbread recipes … its festival time again.
The 12th annual Cornbread Festival will be held Saturday, April 25 in
downtown Malakoff.
Along with all the regular festival favorites, the Malakoff Chamber of
Commerce is adding the “Strutt your Mutt” parade, which will begin at 3
p.m. and wind through all the booths and end up at the KCKL
Entertainment Stage for the Pet Contest. There is no entry fee for the
parade, but your pet must be on a leash and be up-to-date on shots.
Another new event will be an old-fashioned cake walk.
“This is always a crowd pleaser,” said Chamber Secretary/Treasurer Pat
Isaacson.
Officials will also crown the King and Queen of the Corn again this
year.
Regular events like the Cornbread Cook-off Contest, the Hat Contest, the
Cornhole Tournament and the 5K “Run to the Corn” are all returning.
Radio station KCKL 95.9 FM will be hosting the entertainment stage,
which will be located on the parking lot next to Cedar Lake Nursing
Services.
Chamber officials said plenty of vendors have signed up, but there is
still room for more. Booths can be set up between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Vendors must furnish their own tables. Mitcham Street will be closed at
8:30 a.m.
This is a rain or shine event.
Contact the chamber at 903-489-1518 or email
malakoffcofc@embarqmail.com
for more information.
Festival Schedule
• 8 a.m. – 5K “Run to the Corn” starts at the First Baptist Church on
Mitcham St.
• 10 a.m. to 3:30p.m.– Cornhole Tournament
• 10 a.m. – Drop off entries for the Cornbread Cook-off
• 11 a.m. – Cake Walk at Entertainment Stage
• Noon – Cornbread Cook-off judging begins; Little Mr & Miss Niblett
Contest (talent/costume) begins at Entertainment Stage
• 1 p.m. - 3rd & 5th grade Malakoff Elementary Students
• 2 p.m. - King & Queen of the Corn at Entertainment Stage, followed by
live entertainment.
• 3 p.m.– “Strut your Mutt” Parade begins at the First Baptist Church,
followed by the Pet Contest at Entertainment Stage
3:45 p.m. – Hat Contest at the Entertainment Stage.

Fear of the ‘lightning god’By L. Schroeder
Special to The Monitor
MABANK–Anyone who has had the privilege of living in Texas for a time
knows we get some really heavy and noisy thunderstorms.
The lightning will light up the night as bright as day, followed by some
of the strongest house-jarring booms you have heard, all the while there
are buckets of rain crashing down from the sky.
Many of us older ones like these noisy storms, as long as they do not
disrupt our TV watching or tear up our roof.
Yet, over the years, I have met some folks who are deathly afraid of
these storms.
One lady came to a church baseball game. A thunderstorm came up in the
western sky. Rain was coming, but we had a while before it hit.
It was this lady’s turn to bat, but we could not find her. After
searching, we found her in a car. She refused to come out until the
storm had passed.
In fact, her fear was so bad she would even hide in a closet while at
home during a lightning storm.
I also knew a man who was so dreadfully afraid of lightning he would
hide in a meat locker where he worked. He did have a good reason – he
had been struck twice before.
The first time was when he was a boy bringing in the cows. Lightning
struck a wire fence next to him and jumped across, knocking him off the
cow and to the ground.
The second time, lightning came through an open window, bore a hole in a
wall and struck him in bed.
This is why he would hide, because he knew the “lightning god” was out
to get him, and he didn’t want to give him another chance.
I can understand why some have a fear of lightning because I came real
close to being hit myself.
I was running in the rain in an open field and started to pass through a
metal gate. Just then, lightning arced across the opening in front of
me. I was not hit but every hair on my face, head and arms was singed
from the heat.
Maybe the same “god” was after me. Sure glad he missed.
Statistics show being struck by lightning is rare, but in our country
each year, about 150 folks are killed.
What most of us don’t know, everyday there are hundreds of electrical
storms in progress. The experts figure each storm has 600 flashes, of
which 100 strike the earth.
That means millions of lightning bolts touch down every 24 hours.
I can see why some folks are hit. It’s like we are being shot at from
some big lightning gun in the sky.
With this kind of danger, maybe my friends are playing it safe by doing
crazy things.
Storm safety experts do suggest during a storm to keep away from open
windows, and don’t be out in a field or on a lake. If you are, get to
land and in a car.
Also, try to keep away from wire fences or metal buildings.
You know, if we apply these safety tips, we might keep out of the
“lightning god’s” gunsights.
Still, there is one part of a thunderstorm I enjoy with all the danger.
I love to see the sky light up with breathtaking colors. In fact, I
think the whole spectacle is better than a Fourth of July celebration.
So, the next time a Texas-size thunderstorm rolls by, play it safe, but
also sit back and enjoy the show, for you are in for one swell
eye-tickling treat.

Come Adopt
Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

My name is Nelson. I am a
beautiful male Dachshund. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. So far, I seem pretty laid back
and gentle. I am a wonderful boy looking for my new forever
home.

My name is Oreo. I am a beautiful
female black Lab. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. I seem to get along with other
dogs. I need help with leash training. I have been started on my
shots and need to be fixed. I am a beautiful girl looking for my
new home.

We are a whole litter of Shepherd
mix babies. We were brought to the shelter by animal control, so
we have no history. We have been started on our first set of
shots. We are good kids looking for our new forever homes.

I am a beautiful Border Collie,
who is four months old, or so. I was brought to the shelter by
animal control, so I have no history. I have not been at the
shelter long, so not much is known about me. I am a beautiful
kid looking for a new home.

Pictured are just a few
animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven
Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the
Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals.
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220
County Road 2403 in
Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422
after 11 a.m.
We are closed on Wednesday and Sunday.